The mayor's supporters, however, weren't pleased with the anti-Ford sentiment, with a number of individuals getting into verbal confrontations with the protesters.

At one point, a few Ford fans grabbed the signs being held by the protesters, tore them up, and threw them on the ground, stamping on them in the process.

"Go home," they yelled. "This is Ford Nation!"

The ruckus took place out of the mayor's sight, although a man who appeared to be on the mayor's team insisted that everyone was welcome to attend Ford Fest.

The event, which featured free food and live entertainment, also gave residents a chance to briefly meet Ford, an activity which many of those who lined up waited for hours to do.

"He tells it like it is, he doesn't waste taxpayers money, he's a people's person," said Bob Hampton, who was waiting to meet the mayor.

"I supported him the last time and so long as he remains clean, I'll support him this time."

Ford recently got help for substance abuse issues, spending two months in rehab before returning to office just four weeks ago. He has said he can't guarantee that he won't relapse, but has asked his supporters to trust him.

Some of those supporters have made it clear they don't care about the mayor's personal issues.

"We're all got skeletons,"said Rick Faulkner. "The only difference between him and the other politicians is he got caught."

Ford's role as mayor has been largely symbolic since November, when city council stripped him of most of his power following his admissions of alcohol abuse and drug use during "drunken stupors.''

Those admissions came after months of denials and were followed by the surfacing of videos that appeared to show the mayor making offensive and profane comments.

Despite the rocky year he's had, Ford is running for office again in Toronto's municipal election this October.

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